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Cassidy stands down in Derry
Damien Cassidy during his spell as Derry senior football manager
30 July 2010

Derry have been informed by Damian Cassidy that he will not be seeking a third year as the county's senior football manager.

The former All-Ireland winner took over from Paddy Crozier and had served two years of hie three year term with the county.

The Oakleafers lost out to Kildare by 11-points in Celtic Park in a round 3 qualfier this month having also relinquished their NFL Division 1 status and lost to Armagh in the Ulster SFC preliminary round.

Derry county board issued a statement on Friday afternoon breaking the news and they thanked Cassidy for his efforts over the last 24-months.

"Damian and his management team have served this county with pride over the past two years, highlighted by leading our County to a National final in Croke Park in 2009," said the Derry county board.

"Derry County Board would like to commend Damian and his management team for the new initiatives they have introduced to the county set up and credit them for the new players they have introduced to the panel.

"Whilst we regret to be in this situation, we accept the decision of Damian and his management team, and wish them well in their future endeavours, and have no doubt they will go on to enjoy continued success in their future managerial careers."

Market leaders
Kerry's stock is at an all-time high following last Sunday's All-Ireland victory. Colm Keys values the movers and shakers following the 2009 season

Wednesday September 23 2009

A championship to remember for the most part, largely free of the controversies that stalked it last summer and, inevitably, a championship that has thrown up the best team as its winners.

An inter-county season that began slowly in the first week of January with the provincial subsidiary competitions, accelerated with the Dublin/Tyrone opening league match under Croke Park's lights, tapered off somewhat until July, before coming to a conclusion last weekend with Kerry securing a fifth All-Ireland title of the decade.

A clear gap has opened between the top three teams -- Kerry, Cork and Tyrone -- and the rest. The challenge to the rest is to make the leap. Our ratings below are based on performances in 2009, not on how they might line-up on the grid at the start of 2010.

1 -- Kerry

There will always be a nagging doubt in their collective minds over the 'T' word but they can only beat what is put in front of them. Would they have beaten their great northern nemesis in Sunday's final? We'll never know. A smart approach, smart management and ultimately the best players in 2009, having added a league Division 1 title in April.

If they were a share: Always a buy.

2 -- cork

A disappointing end to a magnificent year. Cork really shaped up like champions in-waiting but the absence of real cutting thrust in attack exposed them. Beating Tyrone gave them a victory of real substance in Croke Park, losing to Kerry there again opens all the wounds. The structure of the team is still good and improvement is inevitable.

If they were a share: Definite buy.

3 -- tyrone

Won a pedestrian Ulster championship, showed stomach for a fight against Kildare but struggled with Cork's pace and size in the All-Ireland semi-final. Mickey Harte won't have too many changes to make, however, provided the appetite remains. The prospect of Kyle Coney joining the attack is an exciting one.

If they were a share: Bluechip.

4 -- dublin

Dublin hold on to fourth spot but the gap with the top three grows. Pat Gilroy's blue revolution came badly unstuck as the team froze in a second successive All-Ireland quarter-final. There is no ready-made solution and this team may have missed their best opportunity.

If they were a share: Too risky.

5 -- kildare

Maybe they are not the fifth best team in Ireland but the form lines suggested this year that they were. Tyrone had to dig deep to beat them, so too Dublin. Kieran McGeeney has put structure and flesh to the team and a 2010 Leinster title would be the perfect reward to start.

If they were a share: Still a buy.

6 -- meath

The only way after 2008 was up but defeats to Dublin and Kerry suggest Meath just aren't comfortable at high altitudes. Picked themselves up well through the qualifiers.

If they were a share: May be overpriced right now.

7 -- mayo

A first Connacht title in three years has to be acknowledged. Suffered from some curious decisions by match officials in their All-Ireland quarter-final but still didn't grasp the game when it was there. Still look like a team who have potential.

If they were a share: Buy.

8 -- derry

Beat Monaghan twice but still didn't fulfil potential they showed to reach second successive league final, losing to Tyrone in Ulster and Donegal in the qualifiers.

If they were a share: Can't be trusted.

9 -- donegal

Beat Derry, who are ahead on this scale, and Galway, but their shocking collapse to Cork and early defeat to Antrim takes from them. In Karl Lacey and Michael Murphy they have two of the championship's best players.

If they were a share: Too risky.

10 -- galway

By their own standards had a very poor year, losing to Mayo and Donegal after blowing another good league position against Kerry. Joe Kernan's arrival will ignite them.

If they were a share: Buy.

11 -- monaghan

Competitive to a fault once again but they look like they are at the peak of their capabilities. Took care of Armagh in championship and league, gained promotion to the top flight but need new players more than new backroom staff.

If they were a share: Don't rush to buy.

12 -- armagh

A bad season on the field has got worse off it. Armagh are at their lowest rating for well over a decade. Need to regroup.

If they were a share: Quick recovery predicted.

13 -- antrim

Took opportunities that came their way, catching out Donegal and reaching a first Ulster final in 39 years after promotion. Gave Kerry their fill of it too.

If they were a share: May have hit their heights.

14 -- limerick

Up to last Sunday no team troubled Cork more than they did in the Munster final but were fortunate to be so close to Meath when they exited. Relegation to Division 4 a blemish.

If they were a share: Worth a punt.

15 -- sligo

If only ... David Kelly's penalty in Tralee has become one of the talking points of the season. Competitive against Galway and Kerry after winning Division 4.

If they were a share: Don't rush.

16 -- down

Crashed in Aughrim having beaten Laois in qualifiers and lost to Fermanagh in Ulster. Promotion from Division 3 is the year's only plus.

If they were a share: Could be one of 2010's biggest movers.

17 -- wicklow

Highest rating ever. Picked off wary opponents in Aughrim to bring the number of championship games they played to six, an achievement in itself. Tested Kildare to the limits but had a poor league.

If they were a share: Depends on

management.

18 -- laois

They retained their Division 2 status in the league but that was good as it got for Laois. A season to write off.

If they were a share: The only way is up.

19 -- fermanagh

Beat Down but spurned a good opportunity to reach another Ulster final against Cavan. Lost Division 2 status.

If they were a share: Could rise again.

20 -- westmeath

A season to forget. Lost Division 1 status and were then crushed in Leinster and the qualifiers by Dublin and Meath. A dramatic fall.

If they were a share: Huge devaluation.

21 -- tipperary

The Division 3 champions didn't follow on in the championship, losing narrowly to Limerick and then to Sligo.

If they were a share: Sell.

22 -- wexford

More than a touch of second season syndrome for the 2008 All-Ireland semi-finalists. An annus horribilis that saw them return to Division 3.

If they were a share: Risky

23 -- cavan

Beating Fermanagh doesn't mean they are better. Awful against Antrim in the Ulster semi-final, struggled in the league.

If they were a share: Don't invest.

24 -- roscommon

Recovered from one of the worst championship defeats of the season to take Wexford out of the championship after a replay. Mid-table Division 3.

If they were a share: Could steadily rise from current low

25 -- offaly

Recovered well in the league, quick exit from Leinster, small signs of recovery.

If they were a share: Sure to pick up.

26 -- louth

Won the O'Byrne Cup but made no real headway after that. Not a team that looks ready for the climb.

If they were a share: Steer clear.

27 -- longford

Will feel they can pick off counties above them given the struggle they made it for Kerry in the qualifiers but league form was poor, resulting in relegation.

If they were a share: Not worth it.

28 -- leitrim

Mickey Moran and John Morrisson didn't work the oracle. Defeat to Roscommon and Longford in the championship puts things into perspective.

If they were a share: Sell.

29 -- waterford

Had their best league campaign in Division 4 under John Kiely who was subsequently removed. Heavy championship defeat to Cork.

If they were a share: Potentially small rise.

30 -- clare

Only Carlow, London and Kilkenny were below them in the league, they were competitive in the championship against Limerick and Donegal however.

If they were a share: Nothing to be bullish about.

31 -- carlow

Tested Louth in the championship but fell away badly to Donegal. The league provides evidence of their status.

If they were a share: Avoid.

32 -- london

The exiles performed creditably in the league, beating Waterford and Kilkenny but no championship impression.

If they were a share: Expect increased interest.

I think the decision to play the last game in O'Donnell Park, Letterkenny with a capacity of only 3,800 (2,500 seated, 1,300 standing) is a absolute disgrace and the Donegal county board should be ashamed of themselves. There is no reason why this game could not be played in ballyshannon - ensuring that all supporters get a chance to go to the game. Very unsporting.

well thought i would start the ball rolling on this one -- whats the predictions on this one?

I think Tommy Lyons is full of shit - Derry have a good record in salthill -- did we not won last year